Here’s a visual (and dramatic) demonstration in our labs of how a hot acid bath will eat away at the steel your company works hard to produce. Use of one of our acid inhibitors (in this case, Activol® 1803) in the pickling process significantly reduces your surface pitting and metal loss to the acid.

Why Pickling Processes Require an Acid Inhibitor

The video below graphically demonstrates what happens to steel in hot HCl, once the scale is removed. (Remember that 90% of the scale is removed early on in the pickling process; the last tank or maybe tank and a half is necessary to remove the edge scale, which is the most difficult scale to remove.)

Therefore, for most of the process, the strip is actually descaled and is being dissolved in the acid in the form of iron chloride. The result is that the strip becomes overpickled, your yield is degraded, and the HCl is being consumed needlessly, thereby increasing your operating costs.

Learn More About Acid Inhibitors

In this video, the metal used is descaled, grade 1011 steel in a bath of hydrochloric acid. The acid is eating away at the steel at a remarkable rate until the Activol® 1803 is added to protect the steel from the pickling process. Learn more about acid inhibitors (in general) and our acid inhibitors (in particular). Looking for more corrosion inhibitors? Try our Steelgard products!

Find the Perfect Acid Inhibitor

If you have additional questions, or need assistance to determine which of our acid inhibitor products will work best for your particular process, give us a call: 215-324-4000. We also offer special custom formulations if your needs are unique. We have over 79 years of experience and can make your manufacturing process run a little smoother.

“Assessment shows hydraulic fracturing activities have not led to widespread, systemic impacts to drinking water resources”

Our own Bruce Entwisle, President of Harry Miller Corp, says, “The EPA, which is certainly no friend of industry, recently deemed fracking to be not harmful to ground waters. Unfortunately, there have been deceitful videos circulated purporting to show gas permeating wells as a result of fracking; these videos were made by environmental groups opposed to drilling of any sort, and they made great theatre regardless of their veracity. In reality, hydraulic fracturing is done significantly deeper than the water table, or aquifers. Stainless steel casings that do not rust are driven through the water tables so that no leakage occurs during the process. We’re gratified that the EPA has spoken and hope that the public at large recognizes this boon to our economy that manifests itself in jobs and lower energy costs for all Americans.”

Harry Miller Corp provides its support for the Fracking industry, and will continue to provide top quality Acid Inhibitors for Fracking processes and other custom solutions for this and other industries.

Hamikleen® 9002 is a free-flowing granular additive for use in sulfuric acid pickling. This product produces a brighter, more uniformly pickled steel surface and provides excellent wetting properties to the bath.

Activol® 2105 is the latest development in hydrochloric acid inhibitor technology, surpassing the level of protection to the base steel afforded by its predecessor, Activol® 1803. Activol® 2105 contains all the performance characteristics of a good pickling inhibitor, such as fume suppression, free-rinsing, reduced chloride carry-over, as well as reduced acid consumption due to superior base metal protection.

Activol® 9012 is a powdered inhibitor for use in pickling operations using sulfamic acid. It imparts maximum inhibiting properties to sulfamic acid solutions reacting on steel. Use at 1-2% of the sulfamic acid weight in pickling baths, for reducing metal loss, fume prevention and reduction of hydrogen embrittlement. This product is also used to clean boilers or other steam generation equipment where sulfamic acid is utilized.

Activol® 1874 is a pickling inhibitor for all sulfuric acid pickling operations. Activol® 1874 contains all the desired properties of a strong acid pickling additive including: high efficiency on carbon steels, good protection to alloys and silicon steels, a foam cover, wetting agents, excellent acid and temperature stability and fume control. Instantly soluble in sulfuric acid baths, it reduces acid drag-out and provides more uniform removal of scale from rod, wire and sheet steel. This product is also available in non-foaming version (Activol® 1874 –NF) for compatibility with sulfuric acid reclamation processes.

Activol® 1793-B is a sulfuric acid inhibitor for batch pickling. It is one of our strongest inhibitors, is a good “wetter” and provides a more uniform pickle and a better rinse. Additionally, it eliminates acid fumes and reduces hydrogen embrittlement. Pickle Life 1673-D (acid extender) and Activol® 1793-B can be used in combination to extend the life of the acid bath to iron levels of 7-12%. Activol® 1793-NF is a non-foaming version which can be used in operations utilizing combustion heating.